Nano-hardness and elastic modulus of anodic aluminium oxide based Poly (2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) composite membranes

In this study we determine the elastic and hardness properties of electrochemically engineered porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes and AAO membranes infiltrated with Poly (2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate) to form a unique biologically compatible AAO/polymer composite. The electrochemically-synthesised membranes have a nanometre scale porous oxide structure with a mean pore diameter of 100 nm. The membranes were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy before and after polymer infiltration. The polymer treated and untreated membranes were then examined using the nano-indentation technique to measure the hardness and subsequently determine the membrane elasticity